Aquarium fish algaeid: description, features of the content, care and feedback

Not all beginners aquarists know that in addition to fish, snails, natural or artificial greens and decorative ornaments, in each underwater kingdom should live a fish-seaweed. We will try to explain why the presence of these inhabitants is so necessary, in this article.

Why do we need algaeids?

These aquarium inhabitants are given a special role - not to actively develop algae and eliminate those species of vegetation that are not visible to our eye. Algaehead is an aquarium fish that will help you combat excessive gardening at the stage of formation of small algae colonies, as well as to clean up their residues after treatment with special means.

This does not mean that aquarium fish (Siamese algaeids or some other species) can solve absolutely all problems with algae. In the aquarium it is desirable to have different types of fish, snails, shrimp, as each individual species successfully fights with a certain vegetation. That is why in this article we will talk about different algae-eaters. This will allow you to understand what kind of species is required for your aquarium.

Shrimp Amano

In the beginning we will tell about the shrimp Amano. They got their name in honor of Takashi Amano, who did a lot of work to popularize them. Today their official name is Caridina multidentata, although earlier experts believed that this species is called Caridina japonica.

Many aquarists are sure that Amano shrimp is a panacea against algae, but this is a misconception. And this species of seaweed (like all others) has a preference for certain plants, and not all of them are to their liking. Amano's special preference is given to filamentous algae. One important factor to consider here. The effectiveness of these aquarium cleaners directly depends on the size of the shrimp. The larger they are, the more coarse threads they can absorb.

It is preferable to select instances that have reached three, and preferably four centimeters. Too large shrimp Amano instantly eat in the aquarium and kladoforu. On an aquarium with a capacity of two hundred liters is enough for five pieces of particularly large Amano. Individuals measuring 3-4 cm will require one per 10 liters. These shrimps will be completely useless against xenocous and other green algae. In addition, against the black beard, they are less effective than the Siamese fish-algae, which we will discuss later.

Girinoheilus (Gyrinocheilus, yellow algae)

And now let's get to know fish of this species. The first of them on our list will be Gyrinocheilus. This fish-seaweed in the aquarium is the best fighter with a green touch, appearing on the walls of containers with a high level of illumination. These include all aquariums (plant). Consequently, these fish-algaeids for the herbalist are ideal.

Girinoheilus has a mouth in the form of a sucker, for this reason it feeds only on algae in the form of a plaque. A black beard, a filament and other species of filamentous vegetation, girinoheylus does not eat. They should be kept at a rate of 1 individual per 40-50 liters, and no more. The matter is that this fish-seaweed feeds only on algae, exceeding the indicated density of planting, you risk ruining fish because of a lack of nutrition.

Girinoheylus - fishes are quite active, they are kept in groups with other inhabitants. In the aquarium, their size does not exceed 6 cm.

Otocinluskus

Another fish is a seaweed with a mouth-sucker. The most common otsinsklyus affinity. She also actively struggles with a green bloom and xenococcus. In size, it is inferior to girinoheilus and less noticeable in the aquarium. Its length does not exceed 3 cm, which often attracts plant lovers in the aquarium.

Its effectiveness against algae is approximately equal to the previous representative of algae, but otsekniks is less durable and very sensitive to the composition of water. Like most lorikariovyh catfishes, the ocinoclusus heavily tolerates a large amount of nitrates in water (10-20 mg / l). In this case, he becomes sluggish and may die. Contain these fish follows from the calculation of no more than one individual per 40-50 liters of water.

Mollies

This is a less whimsical algae. Fish, the content of which, according to aquarists, is much simpler. This is due to the fact that mollynesia (molly) eat all varieties of filamentous algae, and a black beard, and will not give up the plaque on the walls of the aquarium.

However, their effectiveness is not very high, as in girinoheilus or shrimp Amano. Mollies are very often kept in aquariums-herbalists, as they are almost always in pet stores, which is especially important in cases of algal flares.

Ancistrus

This fish-seaweed is effective against green plaque only at a young age (up to 4 cm). Usually in the aquarium it grows to a rather impressive size (15 cm). Therefore, when the choice is between them and girinoheilusami or ototsinniksami, then usually the preference is given to the latter.

Meanwhile, Ancistrus are very unpretentious, and they are easy to find on sale, so in aquariums-herbalists, they are often found.

Siamese Seaweed

Finally, we came to a real aquarium cleaner. This fish is a Siamese seaweed. A very peaceful and not too large fish is of two kinds - the Siamese vodroselead and the Siamese flying fox (Epalzeorhynchus sp). The second variety is often called a false algae. These fish are very similar in appearance, so they are often confused.

In most cases, real Siamese algaeids are on sale, but it happens that they are given out their false "relatives" for them. This is not surprising - in natural conditions, they live in the same area, and young animals of these fish often create mixed flocks.

How to distinguish two varieties?

It is necessary to know that in a real seaweed the horizontal black stripe that runs through the whole body extends to the caudal fin, and the chanterelle does not. This strip in the present "Siamese" is zigzagged, its edges are uneven.

False algae has a mouth resembling a pink ring. A real seaweed has one pair of black mustaches, and a false one has two (almost invisible). Inexperienced aquarists can ask a very reasonable question: "What does the real or false representative of the species have in front of you?" The thing is that the chanterelle eats much less algae , And most importantly - it is aggressive towards its neighbors in the aquarium, so it is less suitable for underwater "hostel".

Inhabitation in natural conditions

This fish is found in the southeast of Asia, in Sumatra, in Thailand and Indonesia. Siamese algaeids are found in fast rivers and streams with a hard bottom laid out with cobblestones, gravel and sand. Prefers flooded roots of trees, a large number of submerged snags.

Transparency and a small level of water create favorable conditions for the intensive development of algae, which algae eat. Experts believe that this fish can migrate, moving into more turbid and deep waters.

Fish Siamese Seaweed: content in the aquarium

Representatives of this species grow up to 15 cm. Their life span sometimes exceeds 10 years. For maintenance, a volume of 100 liters is recommended. This is one of the most unpretentious inhabitants of the aquarium, well adapting to various conditions.

At the same time, experts believe that it is better to keep them in aquariums, imitating the natural environment of fast rivers. It is desirable to create them open spaces for swimming, equip the aquarium with driftwood and large stones. Siamese algae likes to rest on broad leaves, so for them you should buy a few large plants.

Water parameters should comply with the following standards:

• PH = 5.5-8.0;
• Water temperature - + 23-26 ° C;
• Stiffness - 5-20 dh.

Siamese algaeids are good jumpers, so the aquarium needs to be covered or used so-called floating plants that cover the surface of the water.

When fully fed "Siamese" do not touch plants, but they eat duckweed, as well as the roots of the water hyacinth.

Siamese algae: compatibility with other fish

We have already said that this is a peaceful fish, and therefore it can be kept with most fish. It is not recommended to live together with veil forms - Siamese algaeids can bite fins. To undesirable neighbors it is necessary to carry a two-color labo. This is due to the fact that these two species are relatives, between which there will necessarily be fights.

In addition, the territoriality of this species is manifested between males, therefore it is not recommended to keep two in one aquarium. Siamese algae, like a fairly active fish, will not become a good neighbor to cichlids, which zealously protect their territory during spawning.

Reviews

Experienced aquarists believe that without algae it is impossible to create comfortable conditions for the inhabitants of the reservoir. They create the necessary balance of vegetation, prevent its excessive development.

Representatives of algaeids do not require complex care, but should strictly adhere to the size of the population. Inexperienced owners should know that Siamese algae eat like moss (especially Javanese). Therefore, its use is better to abandon.